Author Topic: MLB/Mouseless Browsing FF extension - MUST-HAVE for every keyboard user! (Read 66939 times)

brotherS · « **on:** April 12, 2006, 06:06 AM »

I recently read about MLB/Mouseless Browsing on https://www.donation...dex.php?topic=2842.0

MLB (http://www.rudolf-no...ouselessBrowsing.htm) is a Firefox extension, I chose to install version 0.4.1 Beta.

Basic Principle

Mouseless browsing bases on appending small boxes with unique ids for all links, form elements and frames to the page. You can trigger an action (e.g. following the link) by simply entering the id and depending on the configuration confirming it by pressing Enter.

As DC user vamp07 said in the other thread, I quickly noticed it makes sense to change the delay from 500 to 750 ms and to set the Numpad0 key to toggle visibility of the IDs.

A picture says more than 1000 words, so have a look:

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7048/dcpostmouselessbrowsing16ri.png

MLB/Mouseless Browsing FF extension - MUST-HAVE for every keyboard user!

On that screenshot I marked three places, which have so-called IDs:
A = 176 (quote)
B = 180 (shoutcast.com, external link)
C = 188 (reply)

All I now have to do is to quote Carol is to hit Ctrl and type 176, if I would type 180 the new page would open in another tab (depends on how you set up Firefox) and if I would type 188 while holding Ctrl down I'd just reply, without quoting.

This is an extremely helpful extension! Being a true keyboard user I was always annoyed when having to grab the mouse.

These settings are working fine for me (I didn't change the "Styles" tab values):

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/4823/dcpostmouselessbrowsing29vp.png

MLB/Mouseless Browsing FF extension - MUST-HAVE for every keyboard user!

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/8862/dcpostmouselessbrowsing30hm.png

MLB/Mouseless Browsing FF extension - MUST-HAVE for every keyboard user!

Google Mail users might want to pay special attention to the setting I highlighted in the last screenshot. By default MLB uses the "/" key of the Numpad here - which allows you to easily jump to Google Mail's search field!

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2006, 06:15 AM »

Can you assign specific numbers or are they generated page by page? If they change all the time it looks like hard work to me!

brotherS · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2006, 06:20 AM »

Can you assign specific numbers or are they generated page by page? If they change all the time it looks like hard work to me!
-Carol Haynes (April 12, 2006, 06:15 AM)

Well... as long as pages have the same layout the same IDs will appear. But even if the IDs change for every page, how is that hard work for a true keyboard user (who doesn't have to look at the keys when typing)?

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2006, 06:25 AM »

What ever lights your candle

jgpaiva · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2006, 06:28 AM »

That looks very nice, a good way of browsing. I do something similar myself, with opera, but i have to cycle through all the links.

I'm only sad for one thing:

MLB (http://www.rudolf-no...ouselessBrowsing.htm) is a Firefox extension, I chose to install version 0.4.1 Beta.
-brotherS (April 12, 2006, 06:06 AM)

brotherS · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2006, 06:35 AM »

That looks very nice, a good way of browsing. I do something similar myself, with opera, but i have to cycle through all the links.
-jgpaiva (April 12, 2006, 06:28 AM)

That was the way I was doing it before... and it *sucked* a lot!

@Carol: Huh?

Just try it (if you are using Firefox) - it might look complicated, but it's great fun to use!

jgpaiva · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2006, 06:40 AM »

@BrotherS: actually, in opera, i also use a similar thing to that. When i press comma ',' i can write the name of the link, and it gets selected.

brotherS · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2006, 06:46 AM »

@BrotherS: actually, in opera, i also use a similar thing to that. When i press comma ',' i can write the name of the link, and it gets selected.
-jgpaiva (April 12, 2006, 06:40 AM)

But isn't typing a 2- or 3-digit number ~218% faster? At least?

jgpaiva · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2006, 06:49 AM »

But isn't typing a 2- or 3-digit number ~218% faster? At least?
-brotherS (April 12, 2006, 06:46 AM)

Point taken, you win.

But still, that can't make me leave my beloved opera

Still, great mini-review!!!

nudone · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2006, 10:35 AM »

looks like a brilliant idea, only one problem, i use maxthon. the hunt now begins for a similar plugin...

brotherS · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2006, 11:11 AM »

looks like a brilliant idea, only one problem, i use maxthon. the hunt now begins for a similar plugin...
-nudone (April 12, 2006, 10:35 AM)

I used to use Avant Browser for a long time - like Maxthon based on IE. Maybe you'd like Firefox too?

nudone · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2006, 11:17 AM »

i'm holding out for as long as i can. oh, go on then, i'll try it over the weekend.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2006, 11:44 AM »

@Carol: Huh? Just try it (if you are using Firefox) - it might look complicated, but it's great fun to use!
-brotherS (April 12, 2006, 06:35 AM)

OK since you're keen

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2006, 11:53 AM »

Being dense here - how do you get the options windows for this? I can't see anythingin the menus or toolbars ??

brotherS · « **Reply #14 on:** April 12, 2006, 11:56 AM »

@Carol: Huh? Just try it (if you are using Firefox) - it might look complicated, but it's great fun to use!
-brotherS (April 12, 2006, 06:35 AM)
OK since you're keen
-Carol Haynes (April 12, 2006, 11:44 AM)

Try it now, you WILL be satisfied!

If not, money back! Full refund, no questions asked

PS: Just kidding, it's free (you, Carol, know that of course)

PPS: I opened this thread and replied by using the keyboard only, thanks to MLB

PPPS: Just when I was about to send it, the forum told me about your additional post. Just go to Tools/Extensions, right-click the new extension there. Many extensions don't add their own menu or stuff to the existing ones.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #15 on:** April 12, 2006, 12:00 PM »

Ah, I see - I have to use the mouse LOL !!!

nudone · « **Reply #16 on:** April 12, 2006, 12:06 PM »

Ah, I see - I have to use the mouse LOL !!!
-Carol Haynes (April 12, 2006, 12:00 PM)

classic!

brotherS · « **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2006, 12:24 PM »

Hehe

(of course you could also use the context menu key instead, but I thought you might want to use the mouse one last time

)

mouser · « **Reply #18 on:** April 12, 2006, 12:39 PM »

that addin is really quite ingenius

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #19 on:** April 12, 2006, 12:58 PM »

I like the fact you can toggle it on and off too with the numerical keypad . so I only need to see it when I want to.

brotherS · « **Reply #20 on:** April 13, 2006, 10:20 AM »

that addin is really quite ingenius
-mouser (April 12, 2006, 12:39 PM)

You are using it too now?

skrommel · « **Reply #21 on:** April 13, 2006, 07:19 PM »

Great tool! So great, in fact, that I felt compelled to write a Windows version!

It's just a preview, I'll finish it tomorrow. And if someone knows how to extract the buttons from toolbars, the contents of Internet Explorer windows, and more, please let me know!

LabelControl - labels the controls of the active window with Numbers, for direct access via Ctrl+Number.

Skrommel

AHK: https://www.donationcoder.com/Software/Skrommel/LabelControl/LabelControls.ahk

EXE: https://www.donationcoder.com/Software/Skrommel/LabelControl/LabelControl.exe

brotherS · « **Reply #22 on:** April 13, 2006, 10:22 PM »

Great tool! So great, in fact, that I felt compelled to write a Windows version!

LabelControls - labels the controls of the active window with Numbers, for direct access via Ctrl+Number.
-skrommel (April 13, 2006, 07:19 PM)

Awesome idea!

And if someone knows how to extract the buttons from toolbars, the contents of Internet Explorer windows, and more, please let me know!

I hope someone here knows the answer to that.

It's just a preview, I'll finish it tomorrow.

Great, I'll try the next version, not enough time right now.

nudone · « **Reply #23 on:** April 14, 2006, 02:35 AM »

amazing.

Baseman · « **Reply #24 on:** April 15, 2006, 10:22 AM »

Anyone heard of a Virtual keyboard? This is where an Infro-red light shines a Virtual keyboard on any surface...If anyone has used one how effective is it?